The year 2024 is marked by three major events: the passage of the Olympic flame, the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, and the Normandie Impressionism festival.
We’ve put together a selection of not-to-be-missed 2024 events in the Coeur de Nacre region, including festivities, music, culture, art and sport.
Whether you’re with family or friends, there’s no room for boredom!
Non-exhaustive program, subject to change.
Normandy Impressionism Festival
March to September 2024
Normandie, Cœur de Nacre
In 2024, come and celebrate the 150th anniversary of Impressionism, with a jam-packed program of exhibitions and up-to-the-minute events featuring guest stars from the world of contemporary culture: David Hockney and Bob Wilson.
Discover the Normandie Impressionnisme teaser
The passage of the Olympic flame
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Near Cœur de Nacre: Omaha Beach, Lisieux, Cabourg/Dives/Houlgate, Honfleur, Bayeux, Falaise and finally Caen, the stage town
In Calvados, the torch relay will take place in several stages over a 12-hour day.
It will mobilize around 100 individual torchbearers.
The day, punctuated by entertainment and festivities, will be open to all and will take place on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Jardifoliz
May 25 and 26, 2024
Courseulles-sur-Mer
Le cercle des jardiniers” association organizes an art festival in the gardens of Courseulles-sur-Mer.
This year’s Jardifoliz takes place on the seaside, with the theme of “heating things up!
As you stroll through the streets of the commune, local residents invite you to discover their flower garden, where music, paintings, photography, dance and street art rub shoulders…
Pierres en Lumières
Crédit : D. Bordas
18th May 2024
Calvados
The Pierres en Lumières Festival invites everyone to share an evening of magic and conviviality around one of the major assets of our Normandy region : its heritage.
The 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
6 juin 2024
On all the D-Day beaches
On June 6, 1944 and in the days that followed, thousands of young men from 15 different nations and 177 French members of the Kieffer Commando landed on the beaches of Normandy to liberate us.
The Battle of Normandy, which was supposed to last just a few weeks, was only completed in September with the capture of Le Havre, 100 days after D-Day.
Numerous commemorative ceremonies and events will be organized in Normandy and, in particular, on the D-Day landing beaches between March 1 and October 15, 2024, with highlights around June 6, 2024.
The D-Day Festival Normandy
Saturday June 1 to Sunday June 16, 2024v
On all the D-Day beaches
Every year, the people of Normandy invite you to celebrate their new-found freedom!
The D-Day Festival Normandy offers over 100 festive events to mark the anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944.
On the program: parade of military vehicles, bagpipe players, historical hikes, concerts and swing dances, La Berniéraise water sports, military camp re-enactments…
Rising to the Challenge exhibition
From 1st March 2024
Juno Beach Centre , Courseulles-sur-Mer
The Juno Beach Centre presents “Rising to the Challenge”, a new temporary exhibition commemorating the Royal Canadian Air Force’s role in the Second World War and celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Between 1939 and 1945 a quarter of a million Canadians served in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Of the 45,000 service members who sacrificed their lives wearing Canadian uniforms, approximately 18,000 perished while serving in the air force. This represents an outstanding and essential part of Canada’s total war effort.
The Second World War was the largest test the RCAF has ever faced. The exhibition explores how the service evolved, became more inclusive, and emerged from the war as an integral part of Canada’s military strategy and identity.
La Berniéraise
Saturday, June 8, 2024
9th edition
Bernières-sur-Mer
On June 6, in Normandy, our liberators came by sea. On June 8, 2024, it’s by the sea that we’ll be celebrating freedom and peace once again.
Sailing and rowing boats sail past the Maison des Canadiens in Bernières-sur-Mer and disembark together in front of this house, the first to be liberated by sea on D-Day.
The sailing is followed by a festive picnic.
Outdoor exhibition Dans leurs Pas
January-December 24/7
Courseulles-sur-Mer, Bernières-sur-Mer, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Langrune-sur-Mer, Luc-sur-Mer, Reviers, Douvres-la-Délivrande
Their names are Léonard, Thomas or Françoise, they are Canadian, British or French, soldiers or civilians, and they were present on our Normandy beaches in June 1944.
Some landed on Juno Beach, others lived on the Côte de Nacre and had been waiting for the Allies for many months. They tell us what they experienced and reveal the images that have stayed with them forever: the fear, the anguish, the noise, the bloody battle, the arrival of the Canadian soldiers with their funny accent, and finally the joy of liberation.
This outdoor exhibition of story kiosks pays tribute to the witnesses to the D-Day landings – soldiers and civilians – through their testimonies and biographies, all illustrated with archive images.
Visit the free web application dansleurspas.com for a wealth of testimonials and stories from those who lived through the Allied landings.
Family-friendly content. Free admission.
The music festival
Friday, June 21, 2024
communes of Cœur de Nacre
Come dance, sing and celebrate music on June 21.
Free and open to all musicians, amateur and professional alike, the Fête de la Musique is aimed at all audiences and showcases all musical genres.
Luc-sur-Mer Nautical Race
June
Luc-sur-Mer
This nautical race, featuring the elfin sea mammal, promises a show worthy of the Intervilles TV shows, without the cows, but with homemade floating boats.
No stopwatch, just 100% fun!
Tribute fest
Crédit : Yvon Bosquet
July
Luc-sur-Mer
It’s the event that kicks off the summer season in Luc-sur-Mer! Facing the beach, this open-air rock revival festival brings together tribute bands over two days.
Tribute bands aren’t just copies, they’re a way of keeping the memory of mythical bands alive.
Grilled fish tasting
1 date in July and 1 date in August
Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer
Begun in the early 20th century, the fish stone is renewed every year.
The town crier has been replaced by an army of volunteers who prepare small plates of grilled fish, to be shared with family or friends, facing the sea, feet in the sand.
Semaine Acadienne Festial
August 7 to 15, 2024
19th edition
Courseulles-sur-Mer and the Côte de Nacre
Over the course of a week, some 50 events, concerts, theme days and commemorations are organized to honor the Acadian soldiers who landed on Juno Beach on June 6, 1944.
Sea festival
During the summer
Courseulles-sur-Mer
Every year, Courseulles-sur-Mer pays tribute to sailors at this colorful, friendly and fun event.
On the program: sea chanteys, craft and seafood market, procession and blessing of decorated boats…
August 15th Event
August 15th
Langrune-sur-Mer
This festive day begins with mass, followed by a procession from the church.
It continues with a parade of floats and costumed locals, a big picnic and a concert.
2 running races : Les foulées gourmandes et la translutine
July 2024
La translutine : Luc-sur-Mer
Atypical pedestrian race, FFA approved. The course, from 1km for the little ones to 10km, follows the seawall and the beach of Luc-sur-Mer.
August 2024
Les foulées gourmandes : Langrune-sur-Mer
7th edition
Take part in this 13km race between Langrune-sur-Mer and Courseulles-sur-Mer, no time limit, just for fun, with stops to taste regional products.
Medieval festival at La Baronnie
14 September
Douvres-la-Délivrande
The Parc de la Baronnie plunges us back into medieval times with its local produce market, costume parade and numerous family events throughout the afternoon and evening.
European Heritage Days
Mid-September
communes of Cœur de Nacre
For a weekend, castles, museums and churches open their doors to the public.
On guided or self-guided tours, rediscover France’s rich architectural and historical heritage.
The scallop festival
Crédit : Loïc Durand
November
Courseulles-sur-Mer
The seaside resort celebrates its star dish, the scallop, with a weekend of festivities and music.
Boréales festival
November
Normandy
Every year in November, the Boréales festival returns to Normandy. It showcases Scandinavian and Nordic culture with a varied program:
Exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, meetings with Scandinavian authors…
Non-exhaustive list. Program subject to change or cancellation without notice.
